Members of the Newcastle Alliance – a business lobby group – faced a barrage of questions at the ICAC today. It came as the hearing focused on an illegal $50,000 donation from Nathan Tinkler’s Buildev Group, for an anti-Labor campaign. Read More »

Newcastle voters are facing yet another by-election, after Lord Mayor Jeff McCloy became the latest casualty of the ICAC’s political funding probe. The successful property developer resigned overnight, after deciding the controversy surrounding his donations “may affect the proper functioning” of the council. Read More »

It’s claimed three Liberal scalps this week alone… but today, an MP walked from the Corruption Commission with a smile on her face. Maitland MP Robyn Parker cleared her name after taking her turn in the witness seat – saying she returned one banned donation and didn’t know anything about any other money. Hunter developers Keith Stronach, Bill Saddington and David Mingay also gave evidence today regarding illegal donations. Read More »

Maitland MP Robyn Parker has denied receiving illegal donations for her 2011 state election campaign. It comes after developer and now Newcastle lord mayor, Jeff McCloy, told the ICAC he may have given money to Ms Parker. She took the stand at the Corruption Commission today, saying the money was for her family to produce a CD for her seriously ill son Dylan. Outside of the hearing, Ms Parker told reporters she was “sad and disappointed” about the revelations of her Liberal party colleagues. “I want the people of the Hunter to know that we are determined to turn the place around,” she said. Read More »

Former Charlestown MP Andrew Cornwell will face the ICAC for the second time next Thursday, as the corruption watchdog continues to examine political donations. The latest witness list has been released and also names Mr Cornwell’s father, Brien, and wife Samantha Brookes. Among the other witnesses to give evidence, Newcastle Alliance members Paul Murphy, Neil Slater, Rolly Dewith and Tracy McKelligott. Former Port Corporation Chief Executive Gary Webb will also take the stand. You can find a full list of next week’s witnesses, HERE. Read More »

A third Liberal MP has fallen foul of the ICAC probe into political donations in as many days, with Swansea’s Garry Edwards stepping aside from the party, after claims he accepted cash from Jeff McCloy. The developer turned Lord Mayor of Newcastle fronted the commission today, saying he felt like “a walking ATM”, after giving more than $30,000 to three Hunter MPs. Read More »

Suspended Liberal MPs Tim Owen and Andrew Cornwell have resigned from the New South Wales parliament, following their damaging admissions at the Corruption Commission. The decision comes after Premier, Mike Baird, urged both men to consider their positions. Newcastle MP Owen today admitted lying to the Corruption Commission about what he did with $10,000 in cash, from developer and now Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Jeff McCloy. Member for Charlestown Andrew Cornwell told the ICAC last Thursday that he received a bribe from another property developer. “The people of the Hunter and the people of NSW have been betrayed,” said Mr Baird. “I say to the members, it is time they considered their positions (as members of parliament).” However, the Premier refused to back calls for their sacking. You can view an updated witness list for the inquiry, HERE Read More »